What is a ballistic pendulum?
A ballistic pendulum is a weight and a block of wood attached to an arm.
What is it used for?
It is used to find the kenetic energy and velocity of a bullet.
What measurements are required to be taken?
BEFORE FIRING
You must find the mass of the bullet and pendulum (arm and block).
AFTER FIRING
The height the pendulum swings to before it comes to rest.
What main physics principles are involved?
Conservation of momentum and conservation of energy
A ballistic pendulum is a weight and a block of wood attached to an arm.
What is it used for?
It is used to find the kenetic energy and velocity of a bullet.
What measurements are required to be taken?
BEFORE FIRING
You must find the mass of the bullet and pendulum (arm and block).
AFTER FIRING
The height the pendulum swings to before it comes to rest.
What main physics principles are involved?
Conservation of momentum and conservation of energy
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-ballistic-pendulum.htm
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/class/phscilab/balpen.html